If you thought the Columbus Blue Jackets would have at least one player among the leading rookies in points and goals, you would figure it would be Adam Fantilli.
You would be right since Fantilli is second among all rookies with 23 points, tied for seventh with 12 assists, and tied for second with 11 goals.
Then there's Dmitri Voronkov who is also among the leading rookies as he's fifth with 20 points, sixth with 13 assists, and in a five-way tie for sixth with seven goals.
Evolving-Hockey, Dmitri Voronkov
Overall on the season, Voronkov is sixth on the Blue Jackets in points, fourth in assists, and tied for sixth in goals with Johnny Gaudreau. He's played in 33 of the team's 39 games and has made an impact in nearly every game as the points totals suggest.
Even if he doesn't score or crack the scoresheet, he can use his 6-foot-5, 240 lb frame to mix it up with anyone on the ice.
In Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, Voronkov picked up an assist on Kent Johnson's goal but before that, took Hampus Lindholm out of the play.
Johnson from Provorov and Voronkov. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/46mLYgsuwa
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 3, 2024
In Tuesday's game, Yegor Chinakhov took a big hit in the first period and was replaced by Johnson temporarily in the second period.
The ascension of Voronkov goes hand in hand with his emergence on the 'Russain line' with Chinakhov and Kirill Marchenko. Chinakhov is enjoying his best season for the Blue Jackets with 17 points (10 goals, seven assists). Marchenko is tied for the team lead with 13 goals and is tied for fourth with 21 points.
| Time On Ice | Shot Attempts For/Against | Shots on Goal For/Against | Scoring Chances For/Against | High Danger Chances For/Against | Expected Goals For/Against | Goals For/Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 158:30 | 152/167 | 72/88 | 69/86 | 20/42 | 4.78/9.12 | 9/4 |
Voronkov is on a three-game point streak (one goal, two assists) entering Thursday's game at the Philadelphia Flyers. Voronkov hasn't gone more than three games without a point this season.
Proving to be worth the wait.
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) January 2, 2024
The @BlueJacketsNHL waited four years to get Dmitri Voronkov on the ice, and his presence has made a big difference after his promotion from the AHL.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/JRqY5pT5MK
As Jody Shelley mentioned on Tuesday's pre-game on Bally Sports Ohio, Voronkov had to get in shape ahead of the Blue Jackets season and was in Cleveland to get his conditioning in line as he adjusted to the North American game.
Since his call-up, he's been among the most consistent Blue Jackets and one of the few bright spots for the team this season.
